Don’t Hurt The Next Generation – Buhari Caution ASUU On Prolonged Strike | DETAILS
President Muhammadu Buhari, has called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to call off their prolonged strike as it is hurting students and parents.
Recall that ASUU on February 14, 2022, embarked on strike over unpaid allowances, failure of the FG to implement the 2009 agreement, among others.
Addressing some APC governors, legislators and political leaders at his residence in Daura, Katsina State on Monday, the president fumed, stating that ‘enough is enough’ with students being kept out of classrooms over strike.
The President said the strike had already taken a toll on the psychology of parents, students and other stakeholders, throwing up many moral issues that are already begging for attention.
He noted that the future of the country rests on the quality of educational institutions and education, while assuring that the government understands their position, and negotiations should continue, with students in lecture halls.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as saying;
“We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike.
“Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake.”
“Colonial type of education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there.
“Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education.
“Through technology we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs.”
“By this time next year, I would have made the most out of the two terms, and the remaining months I will do my best,”
“If you are greedy, you won’t look around to see what is happening with those who are less endowed.’’
The President called on all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those close to the leaders and members of the association, to intervene in persuading the lecturers to reconsider their position, and the ripple effect on an entire generation and the nation.
He said students from Nigerian universities will be faced with the challenge of competing with others in a highly connected and technology-driven work space, and that keeping them at home only deprives them of time, skill and opportunities to be relevant on the global stage.
